Tiger Woods has been advised to retire from major championships to avoid further “embarrassment” after his struggles at The Open.

The golf legend was a mere shadow of his former self at Royal Troon, finishing at 14-over-par after two rounds and missing the cut. Woods, along with other big names like Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Bryson DeChambeau, struggled in the windy conditions on Scotland’s west coast.

Years of wear and tear, exacerbated by severe injuries from a high-speed car crash in 2021, have limited Woods’ playing schedule significantly. With only four competitive games this season before The Open, his performance wasn’t up to the challenging test posed by Troon.

Despite his struggles, Woods insists that his days of competing in major championships are far from over and maintains that he can still win the biggest events.

However, FOX Sports pundit Bayless believes it’s time for Woods to hang up his clubs. “Tiger Woods should quit trying to play in golf ‘s major championships before he embarrasses himself even worse than he already has,” Bayless stated.

Bayless’ sentiments echo those of Woods’ former rival Colin Montgomerie, who stirred controversy when he expressed his thoughts on the future of the 82-time PGA Tour winner’s professional career.

“I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him,” he told The Times. “There is none of that now. At Pinehurst, he did not seem to enjoy a single shot and you think ‘What the hell is he doing? ‘. He’s coming to Troon and he won’t enjoy it there either.”

Montgomerie was asked directly if Woods should retire. “Aren’t we there? I’d have thought we were past there. There comes a time for all sportsmen to say goodbye but it’s very difficult to tell Tiger it’s time to go. Obviously, he still thinks he can win. We are more realistic.”

Tiger Woods’ week at The Open is over after finishing at 14-over-par ( Image: Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
However, Woods hit back with determination, saying: “Well, as a past champion, I’m exempt until I’m 60. Colin is not. He is not a past champion, so he’s not exempt. So he doesn’t get the opportunity to make that decision. I do. So when I get to his age, I get to still make that decision, where he doesn’t.”

And right after his six-over-par 77 on Friday, Woods reaffirmed that his career isn’t finished though he won’t play again until the Hero World Challenge and the PNC in December.

He confirmed he will “definitely” be playing at Royal Portrush next year and added: “I loved it. I’ve always loved playing major championships. I just wish I was more physically sharp coming into the majors.

“Obviously it tests you mentally, physically, emotionally, and I just wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be. I was hoping that I would find it somehow, just never did. Consequently, my results and scores were pretty high.”